Tirupati darshan: Welcome to the spiritual land of Tirupati

Tirupati is a small town located in the heart of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is a pilgrim destination devoted to Lord Venkateshwara, the incarnation of the Hindu God Vishnu. Tirupati is one of the most famous pilgrim sites in the country. The place is teeming with tourists throughout the year and is a holy place filled with serenity and devoutness. Tourists from all over the country come for a Tirupati darshan and to offer their prayers to the deity. With Tirupati online booking, it has become extremely convenient for people to arrive at this holy land. Even foreigners make a beeline for Tirupati to gaze at the meticulous ceremonies & rituals and to be a part of the holy extravaganza.

Tirupati darshan is a spiritual affair and people from all walks of life come to this holy town to get spiritually elevated. The beautiful town stays thronged throughout the year with a large number of tourists of both Indian and foreign ethnicities. There are several temples to explore in the town. Sri Venkateshwara Temple is the chief temple and one of the biggest attractions of the town. The ‘aarti’, ‘prasad’ and other vivid ceremonies will give you a rich spiritual experience.

Where to stay: There are plenty of hotels in Tirupati of both luxurious and modest budgets. You can easily find a hotel of your choice. Other accommodation options include guest houses, inns and lodges. Also, you can book hotels in Tirupati in advance under Tirupati online booking to have a hassle-free and memorable trip.

Where to eat: There is no dearth of restaurant and eateries in Tirupati. You can easily find good food of both South Indian and North Indian cuisines in eateries, restaurants, stalls and café. Manasa Restaurant and Pongali Restaurant are noteworthy. However, if you are looking for a bar or pub in this pious town, you will be disappointed.

Where to shop: At the temple complex, you can shop for CDs of devotional songs and ‘bhajans’. You can also buy the figures of deities from these places.

Major Tirupati attractions: During your visit to Tirupati make sure to check out these attractions:

• Sri Venkateshwara Temple

• Swami Pushkarini Lake

• Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple

• Sri Annapurna Sameta Kasi Visweswaraswami Temple

• Asthana Mandapam

• Silathoranam

• Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple

• Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple

• Akasaganga Teertham

• Papavinasam Teertham

• Sri Varahaswami Temple

• Sri Padmavati Ammavari Temple

When to visit: Tirupati can be visited round the year and the tourists do throng this town throughout 12 months. However, the best time to visit Tirupati is between November-March for idyllic weather conditions.

Local festivals: Brahmotsavam festival, a 9-day long festival observed in October

Do’s and Don’ts:

• During Tirupati darshan, do abide by all rules and regulations

• Do not take photographs of deities if prohibited

• Leave your shoes & slippers outside before entering the temple

• Take care of your personal belongings in the crowd

• Do not disrespect the deities and do not mock at the Hindu rituals

• Do not give money to strangers, although you may give alms to beggars